In 2023 Thomas Monteil, a french refugee, arrives in Manhattan, New York during the french civil war. He and his best friend, Matthieu Rivière, along with friends/associates Antoine and Christian are sent to a refugee camp, but Matthieu makes a deal with wealthy drug dealer François Losier to obtain green cards in return for killing a former French government official who murdered Losier's brother long ago. Following the assassination and their release, they agree to carry out a job for François's henchman Olivier Sylvestre, to buy cocaine from French dealers. The deal quickly goes bad, with the Frenches dismembering Antoine with a chainsaw. Before they can do the same to Thomas, Matthieu and Christian storm the apartment and kill the French. Suspecting a set-up and distrusting Olivier, Thomas and Matthieu take the money and cocaine to François personally. François likes their style and hires Thomas and Matthieu to work for him. This is when Thomas first meets and develops a romantic interest in François's girlfriend, Ellie Harrison. Months later, Thomas visits his mother, Gertrude, and younger sister, Galia, of whom he is fiercely protective. Galia is excited to see him again, but his mother is disgusted by his life of crime and throws him out. Matthieu, who is waiting in the car, comments about Galia's beauty, but Thomas angrily warns Matthieu to stay away from her.
